BLISS BALLS

Bliss Balls, Energy Balls, the NEW trend in health and wellness that has taken me a while to love.

I made a few (around 5 different recipes: the ones you Google: “the best energy balls”) made some with protein powder, some with oats, some with a lot of dates and honestly didn’t love them. Until a friend asked me to do some for a community event at Athleta Austin (a friends and family sale which was pretty awesome, except that I ended up shopping also!). So since I had to do a demo at Athleta and my experience at making energy balls was pretty limited (I have made many more energy and granola bars), I had to make many batches until I came up with this killer Bliss Ball recipe.

Then I got my new Vitamix Ascent A3500 (I was invited by Vitamix Mexico to launch the new Ascent model and I was thrilled because I love Vitamix so much and I really wanted this new model, and most of all I love foodie gadgets and appliances more than anything.. thanks Vitamix for sponsoring me with this blender! #Vitamix #foodforlife

These Bliss Balls are your go to recipe for an energy pick me up treat, perfect for an afternoon, post workout, coffee snack. Meet your new fitness snack or treat. A master recipe you can adapt so many ways! I made mine with Matcha (which I love, but also know that some people don't so feel free to adapt the flavors to your own. Maca would be amazing, cinnamon, golden berries, baobab (my favorite new superfood). The options are endless. These are paleo, gluten free, grain free, dairy free (you can sub the collagen for freshly ground organic golden flax or for a vegan protein powder to make a vegan version.

1½ teaspoons matcha (culinary grade) or sub for cinnamon or maca to taste

4 dates (I used The Date Lady), pitted

¼ cup cashew or almond butter, organic preferably

Xylitol or pure Monk fruit extract to taste (I used about 1 tablespoon Xylitol, this depends on your taste preferences, I like mine not too sweet

2 tablespoons MCT or high octane brain oil (I love and use Bulletproof)

3 tablespoons collagen protein (I love Bulletproof or Vital proteins)

¼ cup chopped and melted raw cacao butter (I only use Bulletproof: please note: most raw cacao butters do NOT taste good and have a very strong flavor ..

Decorate with:

Organic coconut flakes (grind them lightly in a food processor so that they are finer)

Cacao nibs

Freeze dried raspberries chopped or crushed or flakes

Method

Blend cashews in your Vitamix or food processor until finely ground (it will look like almond flour) make sure they are finely ground.

Add dates and blend, add the rest of the ingredients and blend to incorporate: don't over blend or they will be very greasy and the taste and texture will be off. Remove the mixture from the blender (I use a blender spatula) and shape into balls (you can fill with a golden berry!) and decorate with the desired ingredients: coconut, cacao nibs or freeze dried raspberries. (They will seem a bit moist but they will set because when cacao butter sets it firms up).

Bliss Balls keep stored in a glass container in the fridge for about 2 weeks. Or freeze for longer shelf life in a Ziplock bag.

Notes

If you want to lower the glycemic index: remove dates and use Xylitol or Monk Fruit from Lakanto to taste.